SHEILA Not much. I got fired. JANICE Fired. Why? SHEILA Because I screwed up the executive life insurance–if you can believe that. JANICE I don’t understand. SHEILA Neither do I. Something about a claim under investigation.

JANICE Does this have anything to do with Horatio’s kidnapping?

SHEILA Horatio was kidnapped? Whoa. lightning does strike twice.

JANICE I don’t think lightning has anything to do with this. SHEILAI thought it was McGregor’s life insurance claim they were investigating. I don’t even get a severance package. I’m so screwed.

JANICE I’m sorry, Sheila.

SHEILA Yeah.

A bear-like Security Officer poses next to Sheila’s
cubicle. He rests a hand on his gun.

SHEILA Gotta go.

CLICK.

JANICE Sheila? Sheila?
Janice hangs up, gawks at Chuck.

JANICE They fired Sheila.
(drops in a chair) What do I do now? CHUCK Follow the dinero.
**

A distinguished Señor stands behind a massive old world desk.

Chuck and Janice enter, shake hands.

SEÑOR VALDEZ Señor Tanner, a pleasure to see you again. And you must be Miss Johnson.

CHUCK Señor Valdez, you haven’t stopped by the Cantina in a while.

SEÑOR VALDEZ My wife is adamant that I quit drinking. Please, have a seat.

He reaches into a file cabinet, whips out a bottle, slams
it on the table.

SEÑOR VALDEZ Yes, as pueblo notario, I work with the American insurance companies to accept the fund transfers and my team handles the hostage negotiations.
Pours another shot.

Cheers.

He pulls out a file…

SEÑOR VALDEZ I have Mr. Samson’s file…everything seems to be in order. The ransom note conveniently asks for the identical amount of the insurance policy. Interesante.

CHUCK Isn’t it, though? SEÑOR VALDEZ But there is the matter of the affidavit, Miss Johnson–to affirm your presence as witness to Mr. Samson’s signature.

He slides paperwork towards her…hands her a pen.

SEÑOR VALDEZ Once you sign the affidavit, AIB will wire the ransom funds into our trust account and our hostage negotiator will handle the exchange.

She holds the pen…hesitates.

JANICE I don’t think so.

SEÑOR VALDEZ Excuse me?

JANICE I’m going along to deliver the ransom. I need to make sure Horatio is safe. CHUCK Are you nuts?

JANICE I won’t sign the affidavit until you assure me that I’m going along for the exchange.

SEÑOR VALDEZ If you do not sign, the insurance company will hold up the claim, which will put Mr. Samson’s life in jeopardy.

JANICE I’m sorry. But I don’t trust anyone anymore.

SEÑOR VALDEZ Do you realize that it is you who is jeopardizing Mr. Samson’s life? These kidnappers are extremely dangerous. JANICE And do you realize that if anything happens to Horatio as a result of a botched ransom, I’ll sue the insurance company?